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Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy Is a Fundamental Human Right'

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Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy Is a Fundamental Human Right'

#101
post #22

In that case, why are they supporting CISA? http://fortune.com/2015/09/24/tech-vendor-cybersecurity-bill...

This [1] is the letter linked to in the article that is evidence they support CISA, correct? Maybe it's because I can't read legalese very well, but this looks like tech companies asking congress to codify our rights for the digital age, and to provide a well defined legal framework for those rights to exist within. I'm not really seeing support for sweeping powers of spying; it seems like they're asking for the oppo…

The letter calls for "Cyber Threat Information Sharing Legislation" without specifying _which_ bill. But given that CISA is the only such bill in front of Congress, it looks like Apple has endorsed the bill (without technically endorsing it). Given the specifity of the other bills the letter mentioned, and how publicly unpopular CISA is, this seems like a massively spineless move.

If Apple is serious about privacy they should clarify and affirmatively oppose CISA.

Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy Is a Fundamental Human Right'

#103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think the public is sophisticated enough to understand the decoupling of these two ideas. But I also think that one day, probably soon, it will be.

Technical users are members of the public, too. If you want to treat users like infants, then you should hereby completely forfeit any and all rights to complain about "tech shortages" and technical illiteracy of end users.

So, this is a meta-comment because it's really just about your comment, but I feel compelled to point out the unnecessary negativity, and the unforced errors, so to speak, in representing my words, what I want, and what I've done. I'm not even sure what to call it when you create things I cannot do any longer to maintain consistency with my position - but without any evidence that I've done those things, or want to do those things. It's something like a straw-man argument.

The right thing to do is to ignore it, but on the off-chance that you might be somewhat self-aware, I thought I'd give you the opportunity to catch yourself.

Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy Is a Fundamental Human Right'

#104
post #22

In that case, why are they supporting CISA? http://fortune.com/2015/09/24/tech-vendor-cybersecurity-bill...

This [1] is the letter linked to in the article that is evidence they support CISA, correct? Maybe it's because I can't read legalese very well, but this looks like tech companies asking congress to codify our rights for the digital age, and to provide a well defined legal framework for those rights to exist within. I'm not really seeing support for sweeping powers of spying; it seems like they're asking for the oppo…

It's not as much legalese but trying to hide a wolf in sheep clothing.

They put other legislations around (I did not inspect them, so can't comment) and among them (in the center so person skimming it might miss it) they put: "Cyber Threat Information Sharing Legislation". They don't mention which bills they are referring to and they made sure that acronym doesn't match CISPA. If you search it you will find that there's no legislation with that name, and the only results you get are CISPA.

Why those companies want CISPA? Because it removes all liability from them when they share the data without a warrant. Basically we no longer will be able to sue them for violating our privacy.

Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy Is a Fundamental Human Right'

#105
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Personal computing devices shouldn't have artificial walled gardens. I couldn't agree more with this sentiment. Requiring that all software on your device be signed by a single entity (i.e. apple) is horrifying when you think about where that might lead to in the future.

And where is that? Like he said, any back door for the good guys is a back door for the bad guys as well.

Accepting the risk that other people might misbehave is price of freedom.

Do you want a General Purpose Computer? Or do you want an appliance that is ultimately controlled by someone else, where you have to get permission[1] if you want to use it in any way that wasn't pre-aproved? What are the odds that the things you want to do will continue to be approved when you ask for permission next year? Or ten years from now?

If someone can restrict how you use your device, you then they are de facto the actual owner of the device. Do you want to own the products[2] you buy, or do you want a future where property rights are rare and you have to lease everything?

The War On General Purpose Computing continues, and the people that wish the Turing machine could be stuffed back in its bottle have been wining small but important battles over the last few years. Apple deserves a lot of blame here, as the walled garden was previously limited to stuff like game consoles, but the the big problem has been the many developers that chose shiny tech, promises of easy development, end-user convenience, and short-term profit over the freedom to tinker with products you actually own.

Of course there will be costs and risks. Fighting this trend toward walled gardens, like any war, will probably require certain sacrifices. I suggest paying those costs now, as price of freedom will only increase.

[1] https://www.fourmilab.ch/documents/digital-imprimatur/ (note: this is originally about publication, but the ideas apply similarly to the War On General Purpose Computing. Also, consider when the essay was written; some technology has changed, but the basic idea is still important)

[2] Many products, not just your "phone" (portable computer). Just look at the rush to throw a CPU and 802.11 PHY into absolutely everything. There are many example, but the current attempt by John Deere ( http://ifixit.org/blog/7192/john-deere-mess/ ) to circumvent the "first-sale doctrine" is a perfect example of what is going to happen to most products if we give up ownership.

Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy Is a Fundamental Human Right'

#106
post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This [1] is the letter linked to in the article that is evidence they support CISA, correct? Maybe it's because I can't read legalese very well, but this looks like tech companies asking congress to codify our rights for the digital age, and to provide a well defined legal framework for those rights to exist within. I'm not really seeing support for sweeping powers of spying; it seems like they're asking for the oppo…

It's not as much legalese but trying to hide a wolf in sheep clothing. They put other legislations around (I did not inspect them, so can't comment) and among them (in the center so person skimming it might miss it) they put: "Cyber Threat Information Sharing Legislation". They don't mention which bills they are referring to and they made sure that acronym doesn't match CISPA. If you search it you will find that ther…

> Because it removes all liability from them when they share the data without a warrant.

Aka, a Letter of Marque[1]. Some companies really want to be the privateers of the surveillance-industrial complex.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_marque

Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy Is a Fundamental Human Right'

#107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Technical users are members of the public, too. If you want to treat users like infants, then you should hereby completely forfeit any and all rights to complain about "tech shortages" and technical illiteracy of end users.

So, this is a meta-comment because it's really just about your comment, but I feel compelled to point out the unnecessary negativity, and the unforced errors, so to speak, in representing my words, what I want, and what I've done. I'm not even sure what to call it when you create things I cannot do any longer to maintain consistency with my position - but without any evidence that I've done those things, or want to d…

Apologies, the vitriol wasn't directed towards you, specifically. You simply gave me an opportune moment to express dissatisfaction with the paradoxical desire of simultaneously wanting more locked down devices in the name of convenience and "security", while also making programming and/or CS a compulsory school subject.

Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy Is a Fundamental Human Right'

#108

This is just a plain attack on Google. sigh

For so long we've heard "consumers don't care about privacy" and a lot of companies have seen success based on that idea. Now Apple is challenging that status quo, differentiating themselves from their competitors and offering consumers a choice on privacy. I can't see that as anything but good.

Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy Is a Fundamental Human Right'

#109
post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This [1] is the letter linked to in the article that is evidence they support CISA, correct? Maybe it's because I can't read legalese very well, but this looks like tech companies asking congress to codify our rights for the digital age, and to provide a well defined legal framework for those rights to exist within. I'm not really seeing support for sweeping powers of spying; it seems like they're asking for the oppo…

It's not as much legalese but trying to hide a wolf in sheep clothing. They put other legislations around (I did not inspect them, so can't comment) and among them (in the center so person skimming it might miss it) they put: "Cyber Threat Information Sharing Legislation". They don't mention which bills they are referring to and they made sure that acronym doesn't match CISPA. If you search it you will find that ther…

> Why those companies want CISPA? Because it removes all liability from them when they share the data without a warrant. Basically we no longer will be able to sue them for violating our privacy.

Nothing in CISPA allows them to violate their EULA.

If they had EULAs that violated your privacy in the first place, then that's a problem between you and the company, independent of CISPA.

Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy Is a Fundamental Human Right'

#110

A tad "holier than thou" attitude pointing a finger at your competitor and to a large extent the entire internet economy. It would be nice to dial down the spin/FUD machine esp when you're the CEO. Ad targeting will and has evolved. Good things happen when you understand the user and their needs - I for one am willing to trade my privacy for USEFUL features and products (to paint this as only ads is injustice). Just…

Ad tracking has certainly evolved - Google, Facebook, et al have built successful enterprises out of tracking every detail of people's web browsing. But targeting? AdWords still only coughs up ads that coincidentally include a random keyword I was searching for, devoid of context, or attempts to sell me something I've just bought.
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